Pinball game having novice play mode

ABSTRACT

A pinball game is provided with a control system which enables a game player to choose between a novice mode of play and a normal mode of play. In novice mode, game play proceeds for a predetermined time, regardless of the number of game balls played and selected game features, such as the tilt sensor, may be disabled. Game bonuses and free games may be made unavailable in novice mode to encourage experienced players to play in normal mode.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to amusement games and specifically to asystem for providing a pinball player with a choice of playing a pinballgame in a novice play mode or a normal mode of play.

As is well known, pinball games typically comprise an inclined playfieldmounted in a game cabinet and supporting a rolling ball. Players controlthe game ball with flippers to score points by projecting the balltowards game features, such as targets, bumpers, and the like.Conventional pinball games provide the player with a predeterminednumber of game balls which are played on the game playfield. Each ballis projected onto the playfield and "drained" from the playfield when itrolls past the flippers or through bypass chutes. Game play proceedsuntil the predetermined number of game balls have been played anddrained from the playfield.

Pinball games derive their appeal from the challenge they present togame players. Players are rewarded for skillful play with bonuses,extended game play, and free games. Usually, skillful play requires asignificant investment of game time and expense before the new playerbecomes familiar with the particular scoring scheme and game featuresand develops the eye-hand coordination to control the ball and hit thedesired targets. Game appeal thus depends on a player's willingness tolearn the game. Often, a novice player with little skill and experiencewill quickly drain all of the game balls and experience an unexciting,short-lived game play. He or she may become intimidated and quickly loseinterest in that particular pinball game or in pinball games in general.Thus, in order to permit players to develop their skills and maintaininterest in a particular pinball game, it is desirable to provide newplayers with the option to learn and master a particular pinball game ata more reasonable cost. At the same time, the skilled player may becomebored with a game that is "too" easy and doesn't provide enoughchallenge to keep him interested.

Known features address the problem of preventing the "quick drain" ofgame balls, but are not specifically concerned with permitting a playerthe choice between novice and normal modes of play. For example, in theinstruction manual for the pinball game SHAQ ATTAQ, published in 1994 byPremier Technology of Bensenville, Ill., at page 15, "ball time safety"and "minimum game time" features are disclosed. Ball time safety returnsthe drained ball to the shooter if the ball drains before apredetermined time has expired for that ball. Minimum game time providescontinued game play for an adjustable but predetermined minimum timeselected by the game owner or operator (not the player) when the game isinstalled. Both features prevent the aforementioned "quick drain"problems of the prior art, but do not permit the player the option tochoose between modes of play and to learn the game at his or her ownpace while providing a challenging experience dependent upon theplayer's skill level.

Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the present invention toprovide a pinball game which permits a game player to learn a particularpinball game become accustomed to the various play features at areasonable cost, and provide a challenging play experience tailored tothe players skill level.

It is another object of the invention to encourage the new player tolearn the skills necessary for successful play of the game and to createan incentive for the new player to choose the normal play mode once heor she is comfortable with the new game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention accomplishes the aforementioned objectives byproviding a pinball game which permits the player to select between anovice or normal mode of play. In the novice mode, game play continuesfor a minimum predetermined time, regardless of the number of game ballsthat are drained from the playfield. Novice mode may deactivate orincrease the threshold required to activate certain game penalties, suchas the tilt feature, in order to make the game more friendly to thenovice. Novice mode may also deactivate game benefits, such as bonuses,free games for high scores, and free games by matching, in order tocreate an incentive for the experienced player to select the normal modeof play.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing a control system for a pinballmachine suitable for use with the present invention.

FIGS. 2-4 are flow diagrams indicating the operation of a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, game processor 10 is interconnected by a bus in theusual manner to RAM memory 10 and ROM memory 12. In addition, the buspermits communication between the processor and the various playfieldswitches, solenoids, lights and displays.

As is known to those skilled in this art, the game processor typicallycontrols the scoring and operation of the lights and displays of thepinball game as a function of the game software which is stored in theROM memory 12. The game software responds to switch closures on theplayfield causing the award of points, operation of lights and displays,actuation of playfield solenoids and similar devices. The RAM memory 14is the processors working memory in which current game data is storedand manipulated. The processor also communicates with one or more playeroperated flipper switches 16, traditionally located on the sides of thepinball game cabinet. The processor 10, upon receiving a signal that oneor both flipper switches have been closed will normally activate theappropriate flipper solenoid drivers (not shown).

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the software flow diagrams will be explained insufficient detail to enable an ordinarily skilled programmer toimplement the routines for practicing the invention in any desiredcomputing language. Referring to FIG. 2, game play is initiated by aplayer depositing a coin into a receptacle on the machine and pressing astart button to initiate a series of game start-up routines. Inaccordance with the present invention, the player is prompted to selectthe mode of play for the upcoming game as represented by box 20.Prompting preferably occurs with an LED display array mounted on theback box of the game cabinet. In the preferred embodiment, playersselect one of the modes of play by activating one of the two flipperbuttons according to instructions on the display.

A routine is invoked to determine whether novice mode has been selectedby the player as represented by decision box 22. Typically, the routinewill involve a loop which checks for actuation of one of the flipperbuttons. When novice mode is selected, a series of initial commands areexecuted by processor 10 and game control occurs as a function of novicemode play instructions stored in memory. First, an internal flagNOVICE-FLAG is set to the "TRUE" position and game control occurs as afunction of novice mode instructions stored in memory. A timer is set toa value (illustrated as two minutes) corresponding to the novice modeplay duration as represented by box 24.

As an additional aid to the novice player, the tilt threshold may beadjusted, as illustrated at 28, when the novice mode is selected. Inconventional pinball games a player is penalized for moving the gamecabinet to influence the motion of the game ball. Typically, a motionswitch is provided to sense significant movement of the game cabinetand, if closed, will disable the flipper controls and game featuresuntil the current ball drains from the playfield. In normal mode, thetilt threshold is set to one: a single closure of the motion detectingswitch will disable the game features. In accordance with the presentinvention, the number of tilt warnings may be increased in the novicemode of play so that more than one closure of the motion detectingswitch is require before the game features are disabled. The gameinstructions may provide a visual or audible warning for each switchclosure so that the new player becomes familiar with the amount ofmovement that the game will tolerate before the player experiences anactual "tilt" condition. The initialization routine for novice mode playterminates with service of the game ball onto the playfield andbeginning of game play as represented at 28.

In the novice play mode, game play will continue until the predeterminedtime has passed, regardless of the number of game balls played.Referring to FIG. 4, at each "end of ball condition" signaled by asensor disposed to detect when a ball has drained from the playfield,the setting of the NOVICE-FLAG is checked at 38. For a FALSE condition,the ordinary routine for ending ball play is executed as represented by40. If the NOVICE-FLAG is set to TRUE, however, the novice timer ischecked for expiration at 42. If the novice timer has not expired, a newball is projected onto the playfield as represented by 44 and game playcontinues. If the novice timer has expired, the processor is instructedto determine if any extra balls are pending, step 46. Extra balls may bepending, for example, if the player has won an award by hittingdesignated targets and thus has balls remaining to be played after thenovice timer has expired. If extra balls are not pending, the game isended as represented by 48. If extra balls are pending, the next ball isfired onto the playfield and game play continues until the player hasdrained the extra game ball(s).

As an incentive for experienced players to choose the normal mode ofplay, various game functions, awards, or features may be selectivelydisabled during novice mode play. For example, the match feature andhigh score replay awards typical of conventional pinball games may bedeactivated. Referring to FIG. 3, the processor is instructed todetermine whether the condition for such an award has occurred, asrepresented by decision box 30. If the conditions are met, the processorthen determines the status of NOVICE-FLAG at 32. If the NOVICE -FLAG isTRUE, then the award is disabled step 34. If, on the other hand,NOVICE-FLAG is FALSE, or a different award is involved then the award isallowed as represented at 36. Those of ordinary skill will recognizethat the above scheme is adaptable to various game awards, features, andfunctions.

The present invention has been described with respect to certainembodiments and conditions, which are not meant to and should not beconstrued to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the artwill understand that variations may be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention defined in the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pinball game comprisinga) an inclined playfieldhaving a plurality of game features and supporting a rolling game ballthereon, b) processor means for controlling the function of said gameincluding means for permitting game play in one of two player selectablemodes:(i) normal mode wherein the duration of game play is determined asa function of the number of balls played; (ii) novice mode wherein theduration of game play is determined as a function of time; c) playeroperated switch means for permitting the player selection of the mode ofplay at the beginning of each game.
 2. The pinball game of claim 1, saidprocessor means further including means for disabling at least one gamefunction during the novice mode of play.
 3. The pinball game of claim 1,wherein said player-operated switch means also activate flipperelements.
 4. The pinball game of claim 1, wherein said processor meansalters at least one game function responsive to the mode selected. 5.The pinball game of claim 4, wherein the game function is a game replayfeature.
 6. The pinball game of claim 4, wherein the game function is atilt penalty feature.
 7. The pinball game of claim 1, wherein saidprocessor means disables at least one game function when said novicemode is selected.
 8. The pinball game of claim 7, wherein said gamefunction is a game replay feature.
 9. The pinball game of claim 7,wherein said game function is a tilt penalty feature.